I'm Buying A Computer For A Friend

[Don_G]

She had an eMachine that went down, Dell lost my business after I paid 4K for their top-of-the-line Notebook and got stuck with someone in India "paid" not to understand english or the term "Customer Support."

Any recommendations?

[HEyHEY]

1. By a Dell

They're outsourced!

[Don_G]

2. Dell My A**!!!!!

I'll pay two to three times the going rate of a Dell "if" she gets Customer Support in a language she understands.

She's another DUer and has a long run of bad luck that I'd like to correct.

You're never alone if someone cares and helps out once in a while....

"Nuff Said...."

[paradisiac]

23. another problem with Dell is

they're a financial and political supporter of the GOP. Michael Dell is friends with AWOL-Bush.

[Romberry]

3. My honest advice...

...is to buy a locally built "white box" PC which is built using industry standard components if you can find a "mom-n-pop" PC shop/store in your area.

If you can't find a shop, find a geek who knows how to build a system from the case up and get your parts from a reputable vendor like NewEgg at http://www.newegg.com or GoogleGear at http://www.googlegear.com .

These daays you won't save any money by building yourself or having a system built but for what you spend you will get a much better system with a much better quality of components. And there is definitely an advantage to having industry standard as opposed to proprietary OEM parts. Industry standard parts can be upgraded or replaced with ease at a price that's right, especially when compared to what the OEM's like HP or Dell charge for one of their "genuine" parts.

At NewEgg right now you can get a very fast Athlon XP 2500 Barton retail CPU with a 3 year warranty for about 90 bucks, a 7200 RPM Western Digital hard drive with 8 meg of cache for about 85 bucks, an Asus (high end) or ECS motherboard for anywhere from 60 to 150 bucks and a decent video card for 100 bucks or less. Get your memory from http://www.crucial.com, reuse some bits (keyboard, flopy drive, etc.) from the old broken system and away you go.

[Gman]

8. Try

http://www.pricewatch.com

[david_vincent]

25. I tried an ECS mobo and had to take it back

but a much less glamorous Azza board has worked just fine.

[roughsatori]

4. Three years ago I bought a Gateway

I knew nothing of computers and needed to use the technical support constantly. They were very helpful and patient. I did not need to use the support after the first 7 months. I don't know if the support is contractual, but I think one year was included for free. Good luck and it is really wonderful to hear about your good deed.

[FDRrocks]

5. Here...

http://www.ibuypower.com/

Just got a computer from them, its well built, very attractive, and very inexpensive. They offer Tech support and on site service.

Plus the prices, again. Snazzy looking and inexpensive.

edit: BTW stay away from Compaq or HP

[Loyal]

6. That's what I have

I second ibuypower. :)

[Don_G]

7. What's The Deal With Apple?

BestBuy had a deal on an Apple Notebook and I'm considering that IF most of my money stays in the US plus Customer Support.

If I like what I hear, I'll switch my Windoze machine to a Linux backup and get another Apple Powerbook for myself.

Besides, I'm sure Will Pitt and LeftPeopleFinishFirst can use a "Loaner" once in a while.

[paradisiac]

21. I think Powerbooks are on sale because

new (faster) models have been released. I just looked at www.macmall.com and it says $500 off previous models.

[Deja Q]

9. A nice pre-built low-ed computer is the HP A220N

I could build my own and get more for less, but DIY has a stigma attached to it.

The A220N comes with SB Live audio, 512MB RAM, 128GB HD, WinXP Home OS, Nvidia 440MX video, Athlon 2100+ CPU. Has 6 integrated USB 1.x/2.0 ports (or was it 8?)

It costs $678 at Best Buy.

Nix the extra warranties.


The only downpart is the video, it's not great at all for 3D games. It works, but there are better. If you can find one, get a Geforce 4600 video card (BFG Asylum 4600).

[Don_G]

10. I Know All About DIY

I rebuilt a Honda 750 in my bedroom and took all of an hour to ride 170 miles in 20 minuets....

The rest of the time was spent waiting for "Maw 'N Paw" discussing the weather trying to get gas.

If you can build a basic system for a friend, provide support for a dumb user and deliver via Fed-Ex (I know the UPS drivers and "their" policy then I'll give you my Debit Card Number.

Otherwise, I'll take her out to Best Buys tomorrow and get us both a Powerbook MAC.

[Deja Q]

17. Well, I'm better than some guy in another country, but

you may as well get the Mac, more costly as they are...

I shouldn't whine, I used a OS X Mac the other day and didn't hate it. Still, it's based off of a cheap Linux distro so that're more proof Apple is hardly starving for profits...

[elfin]

11. Gotta getta Mac

Can transfer files from PCs with same or nearly identical programs via PC Exchange (not sure of the name of this) or MacLink.

Apple Store will show you how. Hope you have one near you - they are great!

[Maine-i-acs]

12. I have had good luck with HP/Compaq.

I buy PCs for my business. Have had about 25 units purchased in the last couple of years. All different makes.

HP/Compaq rates first. Dell second, Gateway third.

Win2000 professional OS is 1st choice, XP pro second, no other contenders.

HP/Compaq will let you custom configure on their website. A D315s workstation with Win2Kpro, Office Pro and NAV runs about $700 without monitor.

Another place to check is www.pcconnection.com . They have a lot of PCs for sale, some new, some refurbs, some closeouts, and you can rack up a good bargain on a unit with up to 3 years' warranty.

[alfredo]

13. Don't forget the RAM. With a notebook I would

suggest checking out AppleCare. See if it is worth the money.

The 12" looks like a good machine.

[Don_G]

15. The Only RAM I Ignore

Is what Dimbo wants to shove up my colon.

512 MB at a minimum with the capability to expand later?

Dual processors, a friendy GUI and "Customer Support" sounds pretty good to me right now.

[ikojo]

18. Applecare IS worth the money.

One of my friends has a couple of Macs (iMac and an iBook) and has made substantial use of Applecare, Her son has Aspergers and is fascinated by colors. He dropped marbles onto the screen of his iBook and destroyed it. Apple care covered the cost of the replacement screen. She has also had a motherboard replaced after it was fried following a lightning strike.

Yes, get Apple care...well worth it.

[OKNancy]

14. Say what you will about HP

Some people pooh-pooh them, but I've had great luck and you can get fantastic deals at Office Depot if you keep checking in on their close outs.

[Don_G]

16. The Only Thing I Can't Ignore About HP

Is the Customer Service.

Lexmark is a different story since I "built" their distribution center in Cicy and "they" had to wash their hands after every meeting with us and had "Security" check us out.

"They" didn't exactly understand that the workers had different crireria from the "Exec's."

[billbuckhead]

19. Apple laptop market share is up 2%

OS X is a national treasure.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

20. I think dogs make better friends than computers, but if you

have to... well, that's up to you.

[BigMcLargehuge]

22. MAC MAC MAC MAC MAC!!!!

go for the upgradfable bargain. Get a DP G4 1.25 gig. Compared to an eMachine it's like the Daystrom M5 from Classic Trek.

I have one and it's the best machine I've ever owned.

[Redneck Socialist]

24. Go local

I don't know where you live but around here there are a ton of small shops that will custom build a machine for you. I am pretty much a luddite when it comes to computers and I found a shop that talked me through everyting I needed and the price was reasonable. When I needed help I went back to the shop and they straightened it out for me. No waiting on hold for ever, no packing up my machine and sending it out. I would highly recomend finding someone to build a machine for you and avoid the big box/dell/hp experience.

[Loyal]

26. Good idea

:)